diff --git a/autogen/safer-cluster/main.tf.tmpl b/autogen/safer-cluster/main.tf.tmpl
index 380199b7da..adc37d5fea 100644
--- a/autogen/safer-cluster/main.tf.tmpl
+++ b/autogen/safer-cluster/main.tf.tmpl
@@ -77,11 +77,11 @@ module "gke" {
 
   maintenance_start_time = var.maintenance_start_time
 
-  initial_node_count = var.initial_node_count
-
   // We suggest removing the default node pool, as it cannot be modified without
   // destroying the cluster.
   remove_default_node_pool = true
+  // If removing the default node pool, initial_node_count should be at least 1.
+  initial_node_count = (var.initial_node_count == 0) ? 1 : var.initial_node_count
 
   node_pools          = var.node_pools
   node_pools_labels   = var.node_pools_labels
diff --git a/modules/safer-cluster-update-variant/main.tf b/modules/safer-cluster-update-variant/main.tf
index 26175c802b..7284601e45 100644
--- a/modules/safer-cluster-update-variant/main.tf
+++ b/modules/safer-cluster-update-variant/main.tf
@@ -73,11 +73,11 @@ module "gke" {
 
   maintenance_start_time = var.maintenance_start_time
 
-  initial_node_count = var.initial_node_count
-
   // We suggest removing the default node pool, as it cannot be modified without
   // destroying the cluster.
   remove_default_node_pool = true
+  // If removing the default node pool, initial_node_count should be at least 1.
+  initial_node_count = (var.initial_node_count == 0) ? 1 : var.initial_node_count
 
   node_pools          = var.node_pools
   node_pools_labels   = var.node_pools_labels
diff --git a/modules/safer-cluster/main.tf b/modules/safer-cluster/main.tf
index b1b497f790..8bc07bce0b 100644
--- a/modules/safer-cluster/main.tf
+++ b/modules/safer-cluster/main.tf
@@ -73,11 +73,11 @@ module "gke" {
 
   maintenance_start_time = var.maintenance_start_time
 
-  initial_node_count = var.initial_node_count
-
   // We suggest removing the default node pool, as it cannot be modified without
   // destroying the cluster.
   remove_default_node_pool = true
+  // If removing the default node pool, initial_node_count should be at least 1.
+  initial_node_count = (var.initial_node_count == 0) ? 1 : var.initial_node_count
 
   node_pools          = var.node_pools
   node_pools_labels   = var.node_pools_labels